Back-up VHF

[FreeBeeTony]

Is a handheld VHF radio a good backup?
Do they have the same range as a fixed mount?

Just looking ahead to next years off shore trips..........

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Back-up VHF

They do not have the same transmission range. A fixed base radio invariably has a 5w and a 25w transmission setting, while a mobile usually is no more than 5w. Add that to the crumby short and low antenna they normally have.

Personally, I would just make sure you've got a good spare battery and that your VHF is reliable. I suppose a mobile might be inherently more reliable since they don't have separate power & antenna.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Back-up VHF

Fixed mount radio has 25 Watts of power and most of the time connected to a 8 foot +6DB gain antenna giving you a Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of 100 watts. In addition most antenna tops are a least 10 above the water giving you more range. Low power setting for a fix radio is 1 watt per FCC rules.

Handheld starts with 5 watts and usually feeds a rubber duck antenna that is at least a
-3DB loss, so the ERP is 2.5 watts. In addition usually used head high about 6 feet above the water.

The fixed mount has 40 times the Effective Power Out and at a higher level above the water so has much greater range.

However if the boats upside down and sinking and your standing on the bottom of the hull or in a raft then the hand held has much greater range.

Looking at your picture your antenna may have a top that is 16 feet off the water which would give your boat about 5.7 miles of range. Talking to another boat like yours would give you about 11.4 miles range between boats. Talking to Coast guard with high mounted antennas then range can be 80 miles.

Make sure your main Fix radio and antenna is in good shape first then a Hand Held and a waterproof bag and a water proof radio is a good second option.

To figure range take Square root of antenna Height times 1.42. This is to figure the line of sight. Since VHF is really line of site.

 

[KRS]

Re: Back-up VHF

Handhelds don't work when their battery dies.

A mobile mounted radio will work on your starting battery long after the battery won't turn the engine over.

Go with a mobile.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Back-up VHF

Last year I tokk my first offshore trip of any distance.....around 20 miles offshore.

I was able to reach other boats in the area but I think I had trouble reaching the coast gaurd for a radio check.

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Back-up VHF

I have both, a fixed and a hand held VHF radio. I bought an adapter for my uniden handheld that I can screw onto the antenna base of the radio and then connect to the fixed antenna on my boat. I find it gives me alot more range. I use my handheld as a back up. Another good reason I have the handheld is if the worst happened (like a sinking boat) I can take the handheld with me, where as the fixed radio would be going down with the ship. There is a electronics store here where I live that sells these antenna adaptors. It was about 10.00 good investment.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Back-up VHF

Tony be aware Coast Guard is not in the habbit of giving radio checks. Out here if you ask Coast Guard for a Radio Check on Channel 16 you will here nothing or get a warning that radio checks are not allowed on channel 16.

If your radio is working and you can talk to other boats plus here the Coast Guard then they will be able to here you. Keep in mind you here boats within about 10 of your location. Coast Guard with high mounted antennas here every boat with in 80 miles in any direction.

If you get a chance some day visit a Coast Guard station. All I have been to have sign posted when they welcome visitors. On those days and times you can visit the station and here how much radio traffic they here at all times. Some stations monitor 16, 22A, and 21. A few also have CB's but seem to keep the volume turned down. There listening for MAYDAY traffic and traffic from their own Vessels and get very disturbed by unnessary traffic on Channel 16.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Back-up VHF

I know that the coast guard frowns on radio checks......
I just wanted to make sure they could hear me.........

 

[Boatist]

Re: Back-up VHF

Many times you can call Coast Guard with information and it will give you a chance to test both 16 and 22. Things like a buoy light is very dim, a telephone pole floating down the channel, a boat your going to tow and how many on board. When they put out a broadcast looking for a vessel you can call them back and verify the Name. If you missed the marine information brodcast you can call and ask sea conditions.

AnywAY if you want to talk to them you can find a way that they will respond to.